Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the proposed order’s form and included deadlines.

Obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the form of the order and deadlines included therein.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Email the judicial assistant a copy of each hearing notice after it is filed.

Email the Judicial Assistant a copy of all notices for hearing once filed

CRITICAL

A noticed motion will not be heard unless it is specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant.

Any motions noticed, but not specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant, will not be heard

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Phone

Phone

(850) 767-3550

A person needing disability accommodations must contact the ADA Coordinator at least seven days before the appearance, or immediately upon receiving the notice if fewer than seven days remain.

Please contact the ADA Coordinator by mail at Post Office Box 1089, Panama City, FL 32402 or by phone at (850) 767-3550 at least seven (7) days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than seven (7) days.

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties must immediately notify the Court if the case settles.

Parties shall immediately notify this Court in the event of settlement.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Request final hearing dates by emailing Judge Garcia’s judicial assistant and copying opposing counsel.

Email request for final hearing dates to Judge Garcia’s Judicial Assistant, Debbie Burch, and copy opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to burchd@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

To add a motion to a scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent, email the judicial assistant, and ensure the motion is cleared and sufficient hearing time is reserved.

Additional motions cannot be piggybacked on a previously scheduled hearing time without being cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel, and provided sufficient time has been reserved. To add a motion to a previously scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the addition, then email the judicial assistant about adding the motion to the hearing. The judicial assistant will confirm the addition of the motion to the hearing time.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

A copy of the joint stipulation and checklist must be emailed directly to the judge’s judicial assistant.

The aforementioned documents shall be filed, and a copy shall be filed and emailed directly to the Judge’s judicial assistant no later than 5 days prior to the Pretrial Conference.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

After clearing a hearing date with all parties or counsel of record, the requesting party must confirm it with Holly Taylor by email and copy all parties or counsel of record.

D. After the requesting party has cleared a selected date with all parties or counsel of record, the requesting party must confirm the selected date with Holly Taylor by email communication. This email, again, must be copied to all parties or counsel of record.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Emails to the Court must copy all parties or counsel and identify the appropriate county and clerk-assigned case number in the subject line.

All email communications to the Court must be copied to all parties or counsel of record and must include a reference to the appropriate County and Clerk’s assigned case number in the subject line.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email

Counsel must email the Court’s Judicial Assistant about pending hearings that will be canceled because of a settlement.

Counsel shall also notify the Court of any pending hearings that will be canceled as a result of the settlement by contacting the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.

CRITICAL

The moving party must contact the presiding judge’s office to schedule a hearing within 20 days after filing a motion for which a hearing is requested; failure to do so may result in denial.

Within 20 days of filing any motion for which a hearing is requested, the moving party must contact the presiding judge’s office to set the motion for hearing. Failure to seek such hearing may result in the motion being denied.

CRITICAL

For a motion with a requested hearing, the moving party must contact the presiding judge’s office within 20 days of filing to schedule the hearing.

Within 20 days of filing any motion for which a hearing is requested, the moving party must contact the presiding judge’s office to set the motion for hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

A copy of the proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be emailed to the judge’s judicial assistant.

After discussing the matter, the proposed jury instructions and verdict forms shall be filed, and a copy shall be filed and emailed to the Judge’s judicial assistant (in Microsoft Word format) no later than 3 days prior to the Pretrial Conference.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

After filing and serving a motion, email Holly Taylor to request a hearing date, copy all parties or counsel of record, and include the assigned case number, the motion, and the requested hearing length.

B. After your Motion has been filed and served, you must email Holly Taylor at taylorh@jud14.flcourts.org. Your email communication must be copied to all parties or counsel of record and must include a reference to the Clerk’s assigned case number, a copy of the Motion, a request for a hearing date, and the length of hearing requested.

CRITICALCivil cases

The parties must notify the Court immediately when the case settles.

We understand that we must notify the Court immediately upon settlement of the case.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must immediately notify the Court of a settlement or dismissal and submit a stipulation for an order of dismissal.

All counsel shall immediately notify this Court in the event of settlement or dismissal and shall submit a stipulation for an order of dismissal.

CRITICALCivil cases

Phone

(850) 747-5410

At least seven days before the Pretrial Conference, attorneys for all parties must notify the Court Technology Officer by email or telephone about trial technology they intend to reserve.

No later than seven (7) days prior to the Pretrial Conference, attorneys for all parties must notify the Court Technology Officer via email or telephone at hagang@jud14.flcourts.org or (850) 747-5410 as to any audio-visual equipment or other multi- media technology they intend to reserve for use at trial.

CRITICAL

The moving party must contact the presiding judge’s office within 20 days after filing a motion for which a hearing is requested to set a hearing, or the motion may be denied.

Within 20 days of filing any motion for which a hearing is requested, the moving party must contact the presiding judge's office to set the motion for hearing. Failure to seek such hearing may result in the motion being denied.

CRITICAL

Request an in-person hearing when coordinating the hearing.

Requests for an in-person hearing must be made at the time of coordinating the hearing.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

A hearing request must also state the time needed, the movant's first available hearing date, and counsel's names.

d. Amount of time needed; e. First date movant is available for hearing; and f. Names of counsel.

CRITICAL

A motion will not be heard unless it is specifically scheduled with or confirmed by the judicial assistant.

Any motions noticed, but not specifically scheduled with, or confirmed by, the judicial assistant, will not be heard.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

At least three days before the hearing, email the judicial assistant to request access to the case OneDrive folder and copy any attorneys and/or self-represented litigants.

E-mail the judicial assistant at least three (3) days prior to the hearing to request access to a OneDrive folder for your case and copy any attorneys and/or pro se litigants.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Obtain opposing counsel’s consent before emailing the judicial assistant to add a motion to a hearing, and wait for the assistant’s confirmation.

hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the addition, then email the judicial assistant about adding the motion to the hearing. The judicial assistant will confirm the addition of the motion to the hearing time.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Request hearings by email to the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, and include the case style, case number, and motion type.

Hearings must be requested by e-mail to the judicial assistant at williamsa@jud14.flcourts.org and copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant. Include the following in your request: a. Case style; b. Case number; c. Type of motion to be heard;

CRITICAL

Do not add motions to a previously scheduled hearing unless they are cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel and sufficient time has been reserved.

Additional motions cannot be piggybacked on a previously scheduled hearing time without being cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel, and provided sufficient time has been reserved.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Email a copy of every notice of hearing to the judicial assistant at the stated address.

E-mail a copy of all notices of hearing to the judicial assistant at williamsa@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

E-mails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless the communication is authorized ex parte by law.

All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

An additional motion may be added to a scheduled hearing only after opposing counsel consents, the judicial assistant is contacted by email, sufficient time is reserved, and the judicial assistant confirms the addition; do not file its notice before confirmation.

Additional motions cannot be piggybacked on a previously scheduled hearing time without being cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel, and provided sufficient time has been reserved. To add a motion to a previously scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the addition, then email the judicial assistant about adding the motion to the hearing. The judicial assistant will confirm the addition of the motion to the hearing time. Do not file a notice of the added motion until receipt of the judicial assistant’s confirmation.

CRITICAL

Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3's restrictions on ex parte communications and other communications outside the parties' presence, unless authorized by law.

All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law.

CRITICAL

A noticed motion will not be heard unless it has been specifically scheduled with or confirmed by the judicial assistant.

Any motions noticed, but not specifically scheduled with, or confirmed by, the judicial assistant, will not be heard.

CRITICAL

Hearing dates will not be provided for motions that have not been filed in the case.

Hearing dates will not be provided for motions that have not been filed in the case.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Notify the judicial assistant by email of every hearing cancellation and trial settlement as promptly as possible.

Notify the judicial assistant by e-mail of all hearing cancellations and trial settlements as promptly as possible.

CRITICAL

A motion must be filed in the case before hearing dates will be provided for it.

Hearing dates will not be provided for motions that have not been filed in the case.

CRITICAL

Make any request for an in-person hearing while coordinating the hearing.

Requests for an in-person hearing must be made at the time of coordinating the hearing.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Request hearings by email to the judicial assistant, copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, and include the case style and number, motion titles, requested time, first available date, and counsel or party names.

Hearings must be requested by e-mail to the judicial assistant at williamsa@jud14.flcourts.org and copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant. Include the following in your request: a. Case style; b. Case number; c. Title of motion(s) to be heard; d. Amount of time requested; e. First date movant is available for hearing; and f. Names of counsel/parties.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless the communication is authorized ex parte by law.

All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Send a copy of every hearing notice to the judicial assistant by email.

a copy of all notices of hearing to the judicial assistant at williamsa@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

At least three days before the hearing, email the judicial assistant to request access to the case’s OneDrive folder and copy any attorneys and/or pro se litigants.

E-mail the judicial assistant at least three (3) days prior to the hearing to request access to a OneDrive folder for your case and copy any attorneys and/or pro se litigants.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the judicial assistant.

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to judicial assistant at williamsa@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, which bars ex parte communications and other communications about a pending or impending proceeding outside the parties’ presence unless authorized by law.

All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Email the judicial assistant as promptly as possible about every hearing cancellation and trial settlement.

Notify the judicial assistant by e-mail of all hearing cancellations and trial settlements as promptly as possible.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email

Parties must email or call judicial staff to schedule a hearing.

Parties must email or call judicial staff to schedule a hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

All parties must be included in scheduling communications.

All scheduling communications must include all parties.

CRITICAL

For a motion with a requested hearing, the moving party must contact the presiding judge’s office to schedule the hearing within 20 days after filing.

Within 20 days of filing any motion for which a hearing is requested, the moving party must contact the presiding judge's office to set the motion for hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

The moving party must contact the presiding judge’s office to schedule a hearing for a motion that requests one; failure to do so may result in denial.

Within 20 days of filing any motion for which a hearing is requested, the moving party must contact the presiding judge's office to set the motion for hearing. Failure to seek such hearing may result in the motion being denied.

CRITICAL

The moving party must contact the presiding judge's office within 20 days after filing a motion for which a hearing is requested to schedule the hearing.

Within 20 days of filing any motion for which a hearing is requested, the moving party must contact the presiding judge's office to set the motion for hearing. Failure to seek such hearing may result in the motion being denied.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

After filing and serving a motion, the requesting party must email the judicial assistant to request a hearing, copy all parties or counsel, provide the specified information and certifications, and must not call the judge’s office to request a hearing time.

After your motion has been filed and served, you must email Mira Phillips at phillipsm@jud14.flcourts.org. DO NOT call Judge Goodman’s office to request a hearing time. Your email communication must be copied to all parties or counsel of record and must include a reference to the clerk’s assigned case number, a copy of the motion, a request for hearing date, names of counsel for parties, and the length of hearing requested. Further counsel shall certify that the disputed motion has been received by the opposing counsel/party and that the requestor has conferred with the opposing counsel/party in a good faith effort to resolve the matter without a hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Phone

(850) 747-5410

At least 7 days before the Pretrial Conference, attorneys must notify the Court Technology Officer by email or telephone of trial technology they intend to reserve.

No later than seven (7) days prior to the Pretrial Conference, attorneys for all parties must notify the Court Technology Officer via email or telephone at hagang@jud14.flcourts.org or (850) 747-5410 as to any audio-visual equipment or other multi-media technology they intend to reserve for use at trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel must email the Court’s Judicial Assistant about pending hearings that will be canceled because of settlement.

Counsel shall also notify the Court of any pending hearings that will be canceled as a result of the settlement by contacting the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.